SOUL SACRIFICE RETURNS TO STAKES-WINNING FORM TO WIN ALLOWANCE FEATURE AT REMINGTON PARK

OKLAHOMA CITY – After winning the $50,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes at Remington Park last year at Remington Park, no one could blame anyone for thinking Soul Sacrifice might be a tough competitor at that level again this meet.

It had not happened until the 4-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding dropped into a first-level allowance race on Wednesday night to show his former form. Trainer Shawn Davis had tried Soul Sacrifice in a non-conditioned $40,000 allowance race for Oklahoma-breds in his first start of the meet on Aug. 23, but the gelded son of Home of the Brave, out of the Super Saver mare Dulces Suenos, drew the 11-hole in that 6-1/2 furlong sprint on the main track and broke 13th in a field of 13 horses. He never found a way to get involved, running 10th, beaten 19 lengths.

Davis then put Soul Sacrifice into the $131,000 Oklahoma Classics Cup, going 1-1/16 miles on Oct. 18, after some time off from his opening attempt of the season. Soul Sacrifice improved to a fifth-place finish in the headline race on Classics Night, 9-1/4 lengths behind the victor, Inca Empire.

The drop to the conditioned allowance on Wednesday night for Soul Sacrifice did the trick. Soul Sacrifice sprinted to victory, shortening up to 6-1/2 furlongs, winning by 1-1/2 lengths on a fast track. He was sent off as the 5-2 second wagering favorite and sat mid-pack in fourth until they began to bend around the far turn. That’s when jockey Jose Alvarez made his move. By the time he and Soul Sacrifice hit the top of the stretch, they were three lengths in front. Tigers ‘n Bears (4-5 wagering favorite) made a late run at the winner, but lost by open daylight.

Soul Sacrifice got his first black-type win on Dec. 15, taking the one-mile Jim Thorpe over a muddy track at Remington Park last year, winning by 1-1/4 lengths. That was his third win in a row here in 2023, also winning a $20,000 claiming race for Okie-breds on Oct. 11 and a first-level allowance on Nov. 17, also for state-breds. His win Wednesday night came against foes that had not won a race other than maiden, claiming, starter or state-bred or had not won two races in their careers.

Soul Sacrifice cut into early fractions set by Mega Shack (18-1) who faded badly. Those fractions were :22.92 for the first quarter-mile, :45.95 for the half-mile, and he had the lead as he passed three-quarters in 1:10.17. Final time for the sprint was 1:16.59 on the fast track.

The gelding, bred by Susan Casner for owner Casner Racing, earned $20,949 from the $35,000 purse and improved lifetime to six wins from 16 starts and now has a bankroll of $124,239.

Tigers ‘n Bears was another 2-1/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Laridae (5-1).

Remington Park acing continues Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-9, at 6:30 p.m.

Remington Park has provided more than $363 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. The 2024 Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 13 when the $300,000 Springboard Mile tops the final night of the season. The major 2-year-old stakes race of the season, the Springboard awards valuable 2025 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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